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March 16, 2024 – 11:20 pm | Comments Off on Purim: A Nation United41 views

The die was cast. King Achashverosh granted Haman a genocidal license against the Jewish nation. Mordechai was one of the first to learn of the plot and he appealed to Queen Esther for help. Esther explained that it was dangerous even for her to enter the king’s chambers unbidden. Mordechai …

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Articles in Toldot

The Jewish Core Emerges

November 15, 2023 – 7:17 pm | Comments Off on The Jewish Core Emerges245 views
Jewish Core

The Jewish core has emerged stronger than ever these past few weeks. The monstrous massacre, compounded by the public blaming Jews for it, was a murderous double stab to the collective Jewish heart. The fact that some of our decades-long friends and neighbors have turned on us so suddenly left …

The Human Struggle

November 19, 2022 – 8:41 pm | Comments Off on The Human Struggle1,249 views
human struggle

Life is a long human struggle. Animals don’t struggle. For them, life is simple. They have only one objective. To live and perpetuate their kind. Humans have an entire wrestling match. To be human is to struggle.  To be human is to strive for kindness, compassion, devotion, honesty, justice, loyalty, …

Toldot: Esau’s Garments

November 14, 2020 – 7:38 pm | Comments Off on Toldot: Esau’s Garments1,289 views
garments

You know the story. Rebecca instructed Jacob to disguise himself as Esau by dressing in Esau’s garments (which were furry and made him appear hairy like Esau), present himself to his father, provide him with delicious wine and meat, and ask for the blessings that his father intended for Esau. …

Toldot: Like father like son

November 23, 2019 – 10:51 pm | Comments Off on Toldot: Like father like son1,619 views
like-father-like-son-innerstream.ca

Like father like son, an idiom rooted in the words of Ezekiel (44:16), “like mother like daughter,” describes a child that resembles his parent in either mannerism or behavior. This idiom could truly be applied to our forefather Isaac, who is introduced to us in the Torah as, “Isaac, the …

Toldot: A Defense of Jews

November 3, 2018 – 8:06 pm | Comments Off on Toldot: A Defense of Jews1,853 views
defense-innerstream.ca

Our Patriarch Isaac had nothing better to do with his day than plant seeds? Surely Isaac could think of many things to do. He could study Torah, he could do good deeds, he could look after his children, after all, twins can be a handful. Why did he work in …

Toldot: Hunting is not a Jewish Sport

November 12, 2017 – 8:17 am | Comments Off on Toldot: Hunting is not a Jewish Sport3,358 views
hunting-innerstream.ca

Although hunting is not as common as it used to be, it remains a popular sport around the world. This essay explores why hunting has never been considered a Jewish sport.
Hunting
A Jew once asked Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, the 18th century chief rabbi of Cracow, whether hunting is permissible. Rabbi Landau …

Toldos: The Purpose of Wealth

November 29, 2016 – 11:37 pm | Comments Off on Toldos: The Purpose of Wealth2,777 views
purpose-of-wealth-innerstream.ca

Dividing the Wealth
When Rebeca was pregnant with twins, she went to ask the prophet why she was feeling so much turmoil and pain. The prophet told her that she was carrying two nations and that they would separate from the womb; each in their own direction.
Our sages recorded a conversation …

Toldot: To Really Trust

November 7, 2015 – 10:38 pm | Comments Off on Toldot: To Really Trust3,031 views
trust - innerstream.ca

Digging Wells – A Matter of Trust
Abraham fed wayfarers, Jacob herded sheep, and Isaac dug wells. Which would you rather do? The host is in a position to help others and make them happy. The shepherd provides for G-d’s creatures. The well digger provides access to water. If you could …